As far as buying a new garage door opener is concerned, it used to be so simple. As long as the push button worked and the door opened, people didn’t ask many questions. Nowadays, there are way more things to consider before deciding which opener to select. You’ll likely be relying on your new garage door opener for at least 5-10 more years, so it’s important to make sure you’ve thought through the details before making your final decision.
To help you prepare for the purchase of a new garage door opener, the Omaha Door & Window team has come up with a list of helpful questions for you to ask yourself. Think about your answer to each and let that guide your search process.
Will noise be an issue?
Certain openers and motors are quieter than others, so it’s essential to consider the layout of your home and garage, and whether the noise levels will be disruptive. If someone will be sleeping in a room right next to or above the garage, you’ll likely want choose a quieter option, such as a belt drive. If you have a detached garage where noise is less of a concern, you might consider the chain drive or the screw drive model which make more sound when operating than the belt drive.
How do you plan to get in and out of your garage?
This question is loaded because it brings up a number of different points to think about. First, it’s important to consider your entry/exit plan. If your garage door is the only access point to the garage, make sure that you choose an opener with an emergency release feature. Also, it helps to think about how you plan to operate your doors. Will you use an outdoor keyless entry system, key switch, transmitter in your car, or push-button remote? Select an opener that allows for your desired method of entry & exit. Compatibility is always something to keep in mind even with newer models of garage door openers that are WiFi-enabled.
What kind of wall console would you like?
You would be surprised at how much wall consoles have changed over the years! They now have much greater capabilities and allow for more features that should inevitably factor into your decision. Some consoles have fancy screens that tell you the temperature, others can connect to motion detector lights, and some even offer vacation mode settings to help improve safety while you’re away.
Do you plan on using WiFi capabilities?
A whole new world of possibilities becomes available to you with a WiFi-enabled opener. At the most basic level, the internet connectivity allows your machine to be accessed and operated directly from your smartphone, tablet, or computer with ease. As technology continues to grow, so will the possibilities for new features and add-ons.
Are you an Amazon Prime member?
At Omaha Door & Window, we ask this to make sure you’re aware of all the options that are available to you if the answer is yes. Thanks to the partnership between Amazon and LiftMaster, members with LiftMaster openers will be able to take advantage of an exclusive offer for an upgraded delivery process during which your packages will be safely left waiting for you inside of your garage.
Do you want a door monitor?
For those times that you can’t sleep because you think you may have left the garage door open or you fear that someone else in the house may have forgotten to close it, door monitors can give you the peace of mind you need. Door monitors can rest on your nightstand (or anywhere else convenient for you) and allow you to not only check the current state of your garage door, but easily close it from there as well.
Will your garage door opener have access to electricity?
Don’t forget about what will be powering this machine. The opener will need to be near an electrical outlet to work, which can be difficult for some older homes to sustain if outlets are few and far between. Make sure you consider whether you’ll need to use an extension cord, or perhaps even have some electrical work done.
Have you ever had a garage door opener before?
If this is the first time an opener has been used in your garage, don’t forget to weigh the practical considerations. This includes the amount of space you have versus the amount of space you’ll need. Some openers may require more space than others, and sometimes the garage door tracks will need to be replaced in order to accommodate the new addition.
Hopefully these questions will help you find the best solution for your home and your specific needs. If anyone has ever told you that your garage can’t have a garage door opener, contact us today. We have lots of experience in figuring out how to deal with difficult situations, and would be happy to help in any way we can.